Supplemental storage tray for increasing storage capacity within an information handling system

ABSTRACT

An information handling system includes a chassis having walls that define an interior cavity within the chassis. A backplane is mounted to a bottom wall of the chassis and a processor is connected to the backplane. A primary storage device is connected to the chassis and is communicatively coupled to the processor. A supplemental storage tray has perimeter plates that define a bay within the supplemental storage tray. The supplemental storage tray is suspended above the processor by at least one wall of the chassis. A supplemental storage device is disposed in the bay and is communicatively coupled to the processor. The supplemental storage device provides additional storage capacity to the information handling system.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to information handling systemsand in particular to a supplemental storage tray for increasing thestorage capacity within an information handling system.

2. Description of the Related Art

As the value and use of information continue to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option available to users is information handling systems. Aninformation handling system generally processes, compiles, stores,and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or otherpurposes, thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of theinformation. Because technology and information handling needs andrequirements vary between different users or applications, informationhandling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled,how the information is handled, how much information is processed,stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the informationmay be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in informationhandling systems allow for information handling systems to be general orconfigured for a specific user or specific use such as financialtransaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage,or global communications. In addition, information handling systems mayinclude a variety of hardware and software components that may beconfigured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems.

An information handling system can be configured in several differentconfigurations. The information handling system can include multiplecomputers or servers with one or more processors. Each server can bephysically mounted in an enclosure. The information handling system canfurther include storage systems that use storage devices such as harddisk drives. In one configuration, multiple hard disk drives are mountedin the enclosure and are connected to power and data connections in theinformation handling system. The enclosure can also include coolingdevices such as fans that are mounted to cool the components of theserver.

In one configuration, a shroud is mounted in the enclosure to direct theflow of cooling air from the cooling devices to the electroniccomponents, such as the processor, memory and various other electroniccomponents, in the server that require cooling. The shroud occupiesvaluable space within the server chassis and is a non-essential part ofthe server.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Disclosed is an information handling system (IHS), a supplementalstorage tray, and a method that enables a supplemental storage device tobe mounted in a server chassis. The supplemental storage device providesadditional storage capacity to the information handling system.

According to one embodiment, an information handling system includes achassis having walls that define an interior cavity within the chassis.A backplane is mounted to a bottom wall of the chassis and one or moreprocessors are connected to the backplane. A first storage device isconnected to the chassis and is communicatively coupled to theprocessor(s). A supplemental storage tray has perimeter plates thatdefine a bay within the supplemental storage tray. The supplementalstorage tray is suspended above the processor(s) by at least one wall ofthe chassis. A supplemental storage device is disposed in the bay and iscommunicatively coupled to the processor(s). The supplemental storagedevice provides additional storage capacity to the information handlingsystem.

Also disclosed is a supplemental storage tray for use with aninformation handling system. The information handling system has a firststorage device connected to a chassis. The first storage device iscommunicatively coupled to a processor. The supplemental storage trayincludes perimeter plates that define a bay within the supplementalstorage tray. The supplemental storage tray is connected to a chassis ofthe information handling system. A supplemental storage device isdisposed in the bay and is communicatively coupled to the processor. Thesupplemental storage device provides additional storage capacity to theinformation handling system.

Also disclosed is a method for increasing storage within an electronicenclosure having a first storage device. The method includes mounting asupplemental storage tray into an area within a cavity above a processorwithin an information handling system chassis. The supplemental storagetray is suspended above the processor and other functional componentsaffixed to the backplane. The supplemental storage tray has perimeterplates that define a bay. At least one supplemental storage device issecured in the bay and is communicatively coupled with the processor toprovide additional storage capacity within the electronic enclosurebeyond a storage capacity of the first storage device.

The above summary contains simplifications, generalizations andomissions of detail and is not intended as a comprehensive descriptionof the claimed subject matter but, rather, is intended to provide abrief overview of some of the functionality associated therewith. Othersystems, methods, functionality, features and advantages of the claimedsubject matter will be or will become apparent to one with skill in theart upon examination of the following figures and detailed writtendescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description of the illustrative embodiments can be read inconjunction with the accompanying figures. It will be appreciated thatfor simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in thefigures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, thedimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to otherelements. Embodiments incorporating teachings of the present disclosureare shown and described with respect to the figures presented herein, inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example information handling system within whichvarious aspects of the disclosure can be implemented, according to oneor more embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an example server chassis withthe supplemental storage tray removed, in accordance with one or moreembodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an example server chassis withthe supplemental storage tray removed and the cooling fans omitted, inaccordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of a chassis side wall,in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a cover that encloses thechassis, in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the supplemental storage tray,in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the supplemental storage trayand a supplemental storage device, in accordance with one or moreembodiments;

FIG. 8 illustrates a top perspective view of the supplemental storagedevice and carrier, in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the supplemental storagedevice and carrier, in accordance with one or more embodiments; and

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a method forincreasing storage within an electronic enclosure, according to one ormore embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrative embodiments provide an information handling system(IHS), a supplemental storage and a method that enables a supplementalstorage device to be mounted in a chassis. The supplemental storagedevice provides additional storage capacity to the information handlingsystem.

In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure, exemplary embodiments in which the various aspects of thedisclosure may be practiced are described in sufficient detail to enablethose skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical,architectural, programmatic, mechanical, electrical and other changesmay be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the presentdisclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to betaken in a limiting sense.

References within the specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “embodiments”, or “one or more embodiments” are intended toindicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of such phrases invarious places within the specification are not necessarily allreferring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternativeembodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Further, variousfeatures are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments andnot by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which maybe requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.

It is understood that the use of specific component, device and/orparameter names and/or corresponding acronyms thereof, such as those ofthe executing utility, logic, and/or firmware described herein, are forexample only and not meant to imply any limitations on the describedembodiments. The embodiments may thus be described with differentnomenclature and/or terminology utilized to describe the components,devices, parameters, methods and/or functions herein, withoutlimitation. References to any specific protocol or proprietary name indescribing one or more elements, features or concepts of the embodimentsare provided solely as examples of one implementation, and suchreferences do not limit the extension of the claimed embodiments toembodiments in which different element, feature, protocol, or conceptnames are utilized. Thus, each term utilized herein is to be given itsbroadest interpretation given the context in which that terms isutilized.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram representation of an exampleinformation handling system (IHS) 100, within which one or more of thedescribed features of the various embodiments of the disclosure can beimplemented. For purposes of this disclosure, an information handlingsystem, such as IHS 100, may include any instrumentality or aggregate ofinstrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit,receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect,record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information,intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or otherpurposes. For example, an information handling system may be a handhelddevice, personal computer, a server, a network storage device, or anyother suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance,functionality, and price. The information handling system may includerandom access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as acentral processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic,ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components ofthe information handling system may include one or more disk drives, oneor more network ports for communicating with external devices as well asvarious input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, anda video display. The information handling system may also include one ormore buses operable to transmit communications between the varioushardware components.

Referring specifically to FIG. 1, example IHS 100 includes one or moreprocessor(s) 105 coupled to system memory 110 via system interconnect115. System interconnect 115 can be interchangeably referred to as asystem bus, in one or more embodiments. Also coupled to systeminterconnect 115 is a storage controller 122 coupled to local storage120 within which can be stored one or more software and/or firmwaremodules and/or data (not specifically shown). Storage controller 122contains the logic necessary to read and write to local storage 120. Inone embodiment, local storage 120 can be one or more hard drive storagedevices. The one or more software and/or firmware modules within localstorage 120 can be loaded into system memory 110 during operation of IHS100. As shown, system memory 110 can include therein a plurality ofmodules, including firmware (F/W) 112, basic input/output system (BIOS)114, operating system (O/S) 116, and application(s) 118. The varioussoftware and/or firmware modules have varying functionality when theircorresponding program code is executed by processor(s) 105 or otherprocessing devices within IHS 100.

IHS 100 further includes one or more input/output (I/O) controllers 130which support connection by, and processing of signals from, one or moreconnected input device(s) 132, such as a keyboard, mouse, touch screen,or microphone. I/O controllers 130 also support connection to andforwarding of output signals to one or more connected output devices134, such as a monitor or display device or audio speaker(s).Additionally, in one or more embodiments, one or more device interfaces136, such as an optical reader, a universal serial bus (USB), a cardreader, Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA)slot, and/or a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), can beassociated with IHS 100. Device interface(s) 136 can be utilized toenable data to be read from or stored to corresponding removal storagedevice(s) 138, such as a compact disk (CD), digital video disk (DVD),flash drive, or flash memory card. In one or more embodiments, deviceinterface(s) 136 can also provide an integration point for connectingother device(s) to IHS 100. In such implementation, device interfaces136 can further include General Purpose I/O interfaces such as I²C,SMBus, and peripheral component interconnect (PCI) buses.

IHS 100 comprises a network interface device (NID) 140. NID 140 enablesIHS 100 to communicate and/or interface with other devices, services,and components that are located external to IHS 100. These devices,services, and components can interface with IHS 100 via an externalnetwork, such as example network 150, using one or more communicationprotocols.

Network 150 can be a local area network, wide area network, personalarea network, and the like, and the connection to and/or between networkand IHS 100 can be wired or wireless or a combination thereof. Forpurposes of discussion, network 150 is indicated as a single collectivecomponent for simplicity. However, it is appreciated that network 150can comprise one or more direct connections to other devices as well asa more complex set of interconnections as can exist within a wide areanetwork, such as the Internet.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardwarecomponents and basic configuration depicted in the various figures (e.g.FIG. 1) and described herein may vary. For example, the illustrativecomponents within IHS 100 (FIG. 1) are not intended to be exhaustive,but rather are representative to highlight components that can beutilized to implement aspects of the present disclosure. For example,other devices/components may be used in addition to or in place of thehardware depicted. The depicted examples do not convey or imply anyarchitectural or other limitations with respect to the presentlydescribed embodiments and/or the general disclosure.

With reference now to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, there are respectivelyillustrated one embodiment of a server chassis 200 with a supplementalstorage tray 300 that can be utilized to mount one or more supplementalstorage devices 500 to provide additional storage capacity to IHS 100.In the discussion of the following figures, reference is also made toelements described in the preceding figures. The physical electroniccomponents that make up IHS 100 (FIG. 1) are mounted to and containedwithin chassis 200. Several of the server chassis 200 can be mounted toa rack (not shown). Chassis 200 includes a bottom wall 202, a front wall204, a rear wall 206 and a pair of side walls 208. Front wall 204, rearwall 206 and side walls 208 are connected to bottom wall 202 and arevertically oriented generally perpendicular to bottom wall 202. Thebottom wall 202, front wall 204, rear wall 206 and side walls 208together define an interior cavity 212.

With specific reference to FIG. 4, each of the side walls 208 of chassis200 have an outer surface 214, an inner surface 216 and an upper edge orrim 218. Three shoulders 220 are formed on the inner surface 216 of eachof the side walls 208 and are slightly spaced apart from each other in acenter portion of the side walls 208. Shoulders 220 extend inwardlypartially into interior cavity 212. A tab 222 extends upwardly from thecenter shoulder 220. Three slots 224 are defined between each of theshoulders 220 and the inner surface 216. A cable channel 226 is definedin each of the side walls 208.

Returning to FIGS. 2 and 3, a backplane 240 is affixed to bottom wall202. Backplane 240 contains connectors, sockets and printed circuitlines (not shown) that form the electrical connections between thevarious electronic components of IHS 100. Backplane 240 carries power,ground and data signals. One or more processors 105 and one more memorydevices 110 are mounted to backplane 240. In one embodiment, memorydevices 110 are dual in line memory modules (DIMM) or single in linememory modules (SIMM). A printed circuit board 244 of the primarystorage system is affixed to chassis 200, extending between side walls208, and is generally perpendicular to backplane 240. The printedcircuit board 244 of the primary storage system is electricallyconnected to backplane 240. Storage controller 122 is mounted to printedcircuit board 244 such that the storage controller 122 iscommunicatively coupled to processor(s) 105 and memory 110.

Several primary storage devices 120 are mounted within a storage devicecavity 246. The storage device cavity 246 is defined by front wall 204,printed circuit board 244 of primary storage system and side walls 208.Primary storage devices 120 extend between front wall 204 and primarystorage system printed circuit board 244. The primary storage devices120 are electrically connected to the primary storage system printedcircuit board 244 by connectors (not shown) such that the primarystorage devices 120 are communicatively coupled to storage controller122. In one embodiment, primary storage devices 120 can be conventionalhard disk drives that contain magnetic media arranged on rotatingplatters that are accessed by a moveable read/write head. In anotherembodiment, primary storage devices 120 can be solid state storagedrives that contain non-volatile or flash memory devices. A lid 248 ismounted over storage device cavity 246 and the primary storage devices120. In FIG. 3, a portion of lid 248 has been removed to illustrate therelative position of the primary storage devices 120.

One or more printed circuit boards 250 can be mounted in interior cavity212 toward rear wall 206. The printed circuit boards 250 areelectrically connected to backplane 240. Printed circuit boards 250 cancontain various functional components of IHS 100 including I/Ocontrollers 130 and network interface device (NID) 140. Several airflowmovement or cooling devices 260 are mounted in interior cavity 212between the primary storage system printed circuit board 244 and theprocessors 105 and memory devices 110. The airflow movement devices 260rest on bottom wall 202 and extend between the side walls 208. Theairflow movement devices 260 draw air through interior cavity 212 inorder to cool primary storage devices 120, processors 105, memorydevices 110 and other electronic components within chassis 200. In oneembodiment, airflow movement devices 260 comprise six fans in a side byside arrangement. More or fewer airflow movement devices 260 can be usedin chassis 200. The space above processors 105 and memory devices 110and between airflow movement devices 260 and printed circuit boards 250define a recess 266.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is illustrated one embodiment of a cover 400that is mounted over chassis 200. Cover 400 is supported by front wall204, rear wall 206 and side walls 208 and encloses interior cavity 212.Cover 400 is affixed to chassis 200 by fasteners (not shown). Cover 400protects the components of IHS 100 contained within chassis 200.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate details of supplemental storage tray 300 thatcontains one or more supplemental storage devices 500. Examplesupplemental storage tray 300 is generally rectangular in shape,although other shapes can be provided in alternate embodiments.Supplemental storage tray 300 includes a bottom plate 302, a front plate304, a rear plate 306 and a pair of side plates 308. Front plate 304,rear plate 306 and side plates 308 are connected to bottom plate 302 andare vertically oriented in a generally perpendicular orientation tobottom plate 302. The plates can be connected using suitable methodssuch as by welding or by the use of fasteners. Supplemental storage tray300 can be formed from suitable materials such as metal or plastic. Inone embodiment, supplemental storage tray 300 is formed by a unitarypiece of metal. The bottom plate 302, front plate 304, rear plate 306and side plates 308 together define one or more bays 312. In FIG. 6,four bays 312 are shown; however, it is appreciated that supplementalstorage tray 300 can be formed with more or less than four bays 312.Supplemental storage devices 500 are mounted in bays 312.

Several retention features 316 are formed in the bottom plate 302 ineach bay 312. The retention features 316 are in the form of an openingin bottom plate 302 with a groove 318 that extends partially towardsfront plate 304. In FIG. 6, four retention features 316 are shown ineach bay 312. It is appreciated that supplemental storage tray 300 canbe formed with more or less than four retention features 316 in each bay312. Fins 320 are located on bottom plate 302 and extend upwardly frombottom plate 302 into a bay 312. Fins 320 are positioned on bottom plate302 between each of the bays 312. Four cooling passages 322 are definedin front plate 304 and four cooling passages 324 are defined in rearplate 306.

Each of the side plates 308 have an outer surface 330, an inner surface332 and an upper edge or rim 334. Three rails 336 are formed on each ofthe side plates 308 and are slightly spaced apart from each other in acenter portion of the side plates 308. The rails 336 are locatedadjacent to rim 334 and extend outwardly from outer surface 330. Twoposts 338 extend inward from each of the center rails 336 towards bay312. The posts 338 are perpendicular to the center rails 336. Threeopenings 340 are defined in each of the side plates 308 below rails 336.

A supplemental storage device printed circuit board 344 is affixed tothe inner surface of the front plate 304. The supplemental storagedevice printed circuit board 344 extends along the length ofsupplemental storage tray 300 between the side plates 308. A powerconnector 346 is affixed to supplemental storage device printed circuitboard 344 and faces away from front wall 304. A power cable 348 (FIG. 7)has one end connected to power connector 346 and another end connectedto backplane 240. The power cable 348 provides electrical power tosupplemental storage device printed circuit board 344 from backplane240. A data connector 350 is connected to supplemental storage deviceprinted circuit board 344 and faces away from front wall 304. A datacable 352 (FIG. 7) has one end connected to data connector 350 andanother end connected to the primary storage system printed circuitboard 244. The data cable 352 provides an electrical connection betweenthe supplemental storage device printed circuit board 344 and theprimary storage system printed circuit board 244 such that the storagecontroller 122 is communicatively coupled to the supplemental storagedevices 500. The data cable 352 is routed through the cable channel 226(FIG. 4). Four storage device connectors 354 are connected tosupplemental storage device printed circuit board 344 and face towardbay 312.

Supplemental storage tray 300 further includes a retention mechanism360. Retention mechanism 360 is affixed to bottom plate 302. Retentionmechanism 360 comprises a bracket 362, a handle 380 and a lock 390. Thelock 390 is attached to the handle 380 and the handle 380 is attached tothe bracket 362. Bracket 362 includes a base 364 and an elongated arm366. Base 364 is affixed to bottom plate 302 by fasteners 365. Arm 366has an angled proximal end 368 that is proximal to base 364 and ispivotally connected to base 364 by a pin 370. Arm 366 also has a distalend 372 that is distal to base 364. Arm 366 can rotate about pin 370between open and closed positions. The handle 380 is attached to distalend 372 and extends perpendicularly away from distal end 372. The lock390 is attached to the handle 380. The lock 390 has a spring loadedlatch 392 that engages a tab 394 on the inner side of front plate 304when the handle 380 is rotated to a closed position.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate details of supplemental storage device 500 andsupplemental storage device carrier 600. Supplemental storage device 500has a top side 502, a bottom side 504, a front side 506, a back side 508and side surfaces 510. Example supplemental storage device 500 isgenerally rectangular in shape. A connector 520 is attached to back side508. Connector 520 mates with another connector (not shown) onsupplemental storage device printed circuit board 344 (FIG. 6). In oneembodiment, supplemental storage devices 500 can be conventional harddisk drives that contain magnetic media arranged on rotating plattersthat are accessed by a moveable read/write head. In another embodiment,supplemental storage devices 500 can be solid state storage drives thatcontain non-volatile or flash memory devices.

The supplemental storage device 500 is attached or coupled tosupplemental storage device carrier 600. Supplemental storage devicecarrier 600 partially surrounds supplemental storage device 500. Thesupplemental storage device carrier 600 has a frame 610. A pair ofC-shaped arms 612 extends from opposite sides of frame 610. A springclip 614 is formed in each of arms 612. Bottom frame 610 and arms 612define a receptacle 620 that receives the supplemental storage device500. Supplemental storage device 500 is slid into receptacle 620 suchthat frame 610 is adjacent to bottom side 504 and C-shaped arms 612surround side surfaces 510 and extend over top side 502. The springclips 614 are pressed against top side 502. Fasteners 616 affixsupplemental storage device carrier 600 to supplemental storage device500. Four L-shaped hooks 630 extend perpendicularly away from the bottomsurface of frame 610. Two of the L-shaped hooks 630 are positioned onframe 610 towards supplemental storage device front side 506 and two arepositioned toward supplemental storage device back side 508.

Turning to FIG. 7, the combination of the supplemental storage devicecarrier 600 and the attached supplemental storage device 500 areinserted into supplemental storage tray 300. Initially, the bracket 362of retention mechanism 360 is in an open position as shown by the leftmost retention mechanism 360 in FIG. 7. Bracket 362 and handle 380 arerotated clockwise away from supplemental storage tray 300.

The supplemental storage device carrier 600 with supplemental storagedevice 500 included therein is inserted into one of the bays 312 suchthat frame 610 is adjacent to bottom plate 302 and the L-shaped hooks630 extend through retention feature openings 316. The supplementalstorage device carrier 600 is moved within bay 312 towards front plate304 such that the L-shaped hooks 630 slide into bottom plate grooves318. The L-shaped hooks 630 and the bottom plate 302 are dimensionedsuch that an interference fit is created between the hook portion ofL-shaped hooks 630 and bottom plate 302. In this position, thesupplemental storage device carrier 600 is mounted to supplementalstorage tray 300 by L-shaped hooks 630 and retention feature 316. Also,in this position, the storage device connector 520 is mated and engagedwith the storage device connector 354 of printed circuit board 344.

The handle 380 and bracket 362 are rotated counterclockwise about pin370 until the handle 380 abuts and extends slightly over front wall 304.In this position, the spring loaded latch 392 of lock 390 is engagedwith the tab 394 on the inner side of front plate 304 such that theretention mechanism 360 is in a closed position and is also in a lockedstate, as shown by the right most retention mechanism 360. The retentionmechanism 360 holds the supplemental storage device carrier 600 andstorage device 500 to supplemental storage tray 300.

The supplemental storage device carrier 600 and storage device 500 canalso be selectively removed from the supplemental storage tray 300. Auser can depress the spring loaded latch 392 of lock 390 causing thedisengagement of tab 394 from latch 392. The bracket 362 and handle 380are rotated clockwise away from supplemental storage tray 300 to an openposition, as shown by the left most retention mechanism 360 in FIG. 7.The supplemental storage device carrier 600 is moved within bay 312 awayfrom front plate 304 such that the L-shaped hooks 630 disengage frombottom plate grooves 318. The supplemental storage device carrier 600and storage device 500 can then be removed from supplemental storagetray 300.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the supplemental storage tray 300containing supplemental storage devices 500 is mounted into anon-essential area 710 within the interior cavity 212. The supplementalstorage tray 300 is positioned about a central area of chassis 200. Inparticular, the supplemental storage tray 300 is suspended from sidewalls 208 and is located above processors 105 and memory devices 110.Specifically, the supplemental storage tray rails 336 extend over andrest on the chassis wall shoulders 220. The bottom most portion of therails 336 are tapered and are received in shoulder slots 224. The tab222 of the center shoulder 220 extends upwardly toward the center rail336 such that tab 222 is captured between posts 338. The tapered rails336 and shoulders 220 are dimensioned such that when the supplementalstorage tray 300 is lowered into the non-essential area 710, the taperedrails 336 guide the supplemental storage tray 300 into the properposition. The tab 222 is also tapered, and as the supplemental storagetray 300 is lowered, posts 338 and tab 222 center the supplementalstorage tray 300 above processors 105 and memory devices 110. With thesupplemental storage tray 300 mounted in chassis 200, a gap 720 isformed between the bottom surface of the bottom plate 302 and the top ofthe processors 105 and memory devices 110.

The chassis 200 has walls 202, 204, 206 and 208 that define an interiorcavity 212 within the chassis. A backplane 240 is mounted to a bottomwall 202 of the chassis and one or more processors 105 are connected tothe backplane 240. A first storage device 120 is connected to thechassis and is communicatively coupled to the processor(s). Asupplemental storage tray 300 has perimeter plates 302, 304, 306 and 308that define a bay 312 within the supplemental storage tray. Thesupplemental storage tray 300 is suspended above the processor(s) 105 byat least one wall 208 of the chassis. A supplemental storage device 500is disposed in the bay 312 and is communicatively coupled to theprocessor(s). The supplemental storage device 500 provides additionalstorage capacity to the information handling system 100.

The airflow movement devices 260 draw cooling air from the chassis frontside 204 over the primary storage devices 120 and through airflowmovement devices 260. The airflow through chassis 200 is then split intoan upper airflow path 730 and a lower airflow path 740. The upperairflow path 730 flows through cooling passages 324 over supplementalstorage devices 500 and out of cooling passages 322. The air flowcontinues over printed circuit boards 250 and exits chassis 200 at therear side 206. The lower airflow path 740 flows through gap 720 and overand around processors 105 and memory devices 110. The air flow continuesover printed circuit boards 250 and exits chassis 200 at the rear side206. The supplemental storage tray 300 at least partially directs someof the air generated by the air flow movement devices 260 to flowthrough the gap 720.

The supplemental storage tray 300 is mounted into a non-essential area710 within interior cavity 212 above processors 105 within theinformation handling system chassis 200, such that the supplementalstorage tray 300 is suspended above the processors 105 and otherfunctional components affixed to the backplane 240. The supplementalstorage tray 300 has perimeter plates 302, 304, 306 and 308 defining abay 312. At least one supplemental storage device 500 is secured in thebay 312. The at least one supplemental storage device 500 iscommunicatively coupled with the processors 105 to provide additionalstorage capacity within the electronic enclosure 200 beyond a storagecapacity of the at least one first storage device 120.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method for increasingstorage within an electronic enclosure chassis. Generally, method 1000represents a method to increase storage capacity within an informationhandling system. In the discussion of FIG. 10, reference is also made tocomponents illustrated in FIGS. 1-9. Method 1000 begins at the startblock and proceeds to block 1002 where the supplemental storage tray 300is formed with a bottom plate 302, a first side plate 308, a second sideplate 308, a front plate 304 and a rear plate 306. At least oneretention feature 316 is defined in the bottom plate (block 1004). Atblock 1006, at least one rail 336 is formed that extends from each ofthe side plates. A retention mechanism 360 is attached to thesupplemental storage tray (block 1008). The retention mechanism isconfigured to selectively hold and release the supplemental storagedevice 500. A carrier 600 is affixed to the supplemental storage device500 (block 1010). The carrier is engaged with the retention feature suchthat the carrier is held to the bottom plate (block 1012). At block1014, the retention mechanism 360 is actuated to secure the carrier andthe supplemental storage device in the supplemental storage tray bay312.

At block 1016, the supplemental storage tray 300 is mounted into anon-essential area 710 within a cavity 212 above a processor 105 withinan information handling system chassis 200, such that the supplementalstorage tray is suspended above the processor and other functionalcomponents affixed to the backplane 240. The at least one supplementalstorage device 500 is communicatively coupled with the processor 105 toprovide additional storage capacity within the electronic enclosurebeyond a storage capacity of the primary storage device 120 (block1018). Method 1000 then ends.

The supplemental storage tray 300 and supplemental storage devices 500advantageously replace a non-essential shroud mounted above theprocessor and memory devices providing additional storage capacitywithin the electronic enclosure 200. The supplemental storage devices500 increase the storage capacity of IHS 100 to be greater than thestorage capacity provided by the primary storage system devices 120alone.

In the above described flow chart, one or more of the methods may beembodied in a computer readable medium containing computer readable codesuch that a series of functional processes are performed when thecomputer readable code is executed on a computing device. In someimplementations, certain steps of the methods are combined, performedsimultaneously or in a different order, or perhaps omitted, withoutdeviating from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, while the methodblocks are described and illustrated in a particular sequence, use of aspecific sequence of functional processes represented by the blocks isnot meant to imply any limitations on the disclosure. Changes may bemade with regards to the sequence of processes without departing fromthe scope of the present disclosure. Use of a particular sequence istherefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of thepresent disclosure is defined only by the appended claims.

Aspects of the present disclosure are described above with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of thedisclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. Computer program code for carrying outoperations for aspects of the present disclosure may be written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language, without limitation. These computerprogram instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, such as a service processor, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, performs the method forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

One or more of the embodiments of the disclosure described can beimplementable, at least in part, using a software-controlledprogrammable processing device, such as a microprocessor, digital signalprocessor or other processing device, data processing apparatus orsystem. Thus, it is appreciated that a computer program for configuringa programmable device, apparatus or system to implement the foregoingdescribed methods is envisaged as an aspect of the present disclosure.The computer program may be embodied as source code or undergocompilation for implementation on a processing device, apparatus, orsystem. Suitably, the computer program is stored on a carrier device inmachine or device readable form, for example in solid-state memory,magnetic memory such as disk or tape, optically or magneto-opticallyreadable memory such as compact disk or digital versatile disk, flashmemory, etc. The processing device, apparatus or system utilizes theprogram or a part thereof to configure the processing device, apparatus,or system for operation.

As will be further appreciated, the processes in embodiments of thepresent disclosure may be implemented using any combination of software,firmware or hardware. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure maytake the form of an entirely hardware embodiment or an embodimentcombining software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code,etc.) and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to hereinas a “circuit,” “module,” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of thepresent disclosure may take the form of a computer program productembodied in one or more computer readable storage device(s) havingcomputer readable program code embodied thereon. Any combination of oneor more computer readable storage device(s) may be utilized. Thecomputer readable storage device may be, for example, but not limitedto, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, orsemiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combinationof the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of thecomputer readable storage device would include the following: anelectrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computerdiskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory(ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flashmemory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory(CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or anysuitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document,a computer readable storage device may be any tangible medium that cancontain, or store a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

While the disclosure has been described with reference to exemplaryembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular system,device or component thereof to the teachings of the disclosure withoutdeparting from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intendedthat the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodimentsdisclosed for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure willinclude all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote anyorder or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are usedto distinguish one element from another.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The description of the present disclosure has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to beexhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thedescribed embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explainthe principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and toenable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosurefor various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information handling system comprising: achassis having walls defining an interior cavity within the chassis; abackplane mounted to a bottom wall of the chassis; one or moreprocessors connected to the backplane; at least one first storage deviceconnected to the chassis and communicatively coupled to the processor; asupplemental storage tray having perimeter plates, that comprise twoside walls, defining a bay within the supplemental storage tray, thesupplemental storage tray suspended above the processor by at least onewall of the chassis; at least one supplemental storage device disposedin the bay and communicatively coupled to the processor, the at leastone supplemental storage device providing additional storage capacity tothe information handling system; and at least one retention featureformed in the bottom plate, wherein the supplemental storage trayfurther comprises at least one rail extending from each of the sideplates, the rails extending over the walls such that the supplementalstorage tray is suspended from the walls.
 2. The information handlingsystem of claim 1, wherein the chassis further comprises: a first sidewall and a second side wall connected to the bottom wall, the bottomwall, the first side wall and the second side wall defining the interiorcavity; and a cover mounted to the first and second side walls.
 3. Theinformation handling system of claim 1, wherein the supplemental storagetray further comprises: a first and a second side plate connected to abottom plate; a front plate and a rear plate connected to the bottomplate; and the bottom plate, the first side plate, the second sideplate, the front plate and the rear plate defining the bay.
 4. Theinformation handling system of claim 3, wherein the supplemental storagedevice further comprises: a carrier affixed to the supplemental storagedevice, the carrier engaged with the retention feature such that thecarrier is retained to the bottom plate.
 5. The information handlingsystem of claim 1, wherein the supplemental storage tray furthercomprises: a printed circuit board connected to the rear plate of thesupplemental storage tray; at least one connector affixed to the printedcircuit board; and a cable connected between the printed circuit boardand the backplane.
 6. An information handling system comprising: achassis having walls defining an interior cavity within the chassis; abackplane mounted to a bottom wall of the chassis; one or moreprocessors connected to the backplane; at least one first storage deviceconnected to the chassis and communicatively coupled to the processor; asupplemental storage tray having perimeter plates defining a bay withinthe supplemental storage tray, the supplemental storage tray suspendedabove the processor by at least one wall of the chassis; and at leastone supplemental storage device disposed in the bay and communicativelycoupled to the processor, the at least one supplemental storage deviceproviding additional storage capacity to the information handlingsystem, wherein the supplemental storage tray further comprises aretention mechanism connected to the supplemental storage tray, theretention mechanism configured to selectively hold and release thesupplemental storage device, and wherein the retention mechanism furthercomprises: a bracket affixed to the supplemental storage tray; a handleconnected to the bracket; and a lock mounted to the handle, the lockretaining the handle in a closed position.
 7. An information handlingsystem comprising: a chassis having walls defining an interior cavitywithin the chassis; a backplane mounted to a bottom wall of the chassis;one or more processors connected to the backplane; at least one firststorage device connected to the chassis and communicatively coupled tothe processor; a supplemental storage tray having perimeter platesdefining a bay within the supplemental storage tray, the supplementalstorage tray suspended above the processor by at least one wall of thechassis; at least one supplemental storage device disposed in the bayand communicatively coupled to the processor, the at least onesupplemental storage device providing additional storage capacity to theinformation handling system; and at least one airflow movement devicecoupled to the chassis for moving air over the processor and the atleast one first storage device, wherein a gap is formed between a bottomsurface of the supplemental storage tray and a top of the processor,wherein air generated by the air flow movement device is directed toflow through the gap.
 8. A supplemental storage tray for use with aninformation handling system, the information handling system having atleast one first storage device connected to a chassis andcommunicatively coupled to a processor, the supplemental storage traycomprising: a plurality of perimeter plates defining a bay within thesupplemental storage tray, the supplemental storage tray connected to achassis of the information handling system; at least one supplementalstorage device disposed in the bay and communicatively coupled to theprocessor, the at least one supplemental storage device providingadditional storage capacity to the information handling system; at leastone airflow movement device coupled to the chassis for moving air overthe processor and the at least one first storage device; and a gapformed between a bottom surface of the supplemental storage tray and atop of the processor, wherein air generated by the air flow movementdevice is directed to flow through the gap.
 9. The supplemental storagetray of claim 8, further comprising: a first and a second side plateconnected to a bottom plate; a front plate and a rear plate connected tothe bottom plate; the bottom plate, the first side plate, the secondside plate, the front plate and the rear plate defining the bay; and atleast one retention feature formed in the bottom plate.
 10. Thesupplemental storage tray of claim 9, further comprising: at least onerail extending from each of the side plates, the rails extending overthe chassis such that the supplemental storage tray is suspended fromthe chassis; and a retention mechanism connected to the supplementalstorage tray, the retention mechanism configured to selectively hold andrelease the supplemental storage device.
 11. The supplemental storagetray of claim 10, wherein the retention mechanism further comprises: abracket affixed to the supplemental storage tray; a handle connected tothe bracket; and a lock mounted to the handle, the lock retaining thehandle in a closed position.
 12. The supplemental storage tray of claim10, wherein the supplemental storage device further comprises: a carrieraffixed to the supplemental storage device, the carrier engaged with theretention feature such that the carrier is retained to the bottom plate.13. A method for increasing storage within an electronic enclosurehaving at least one first storage device, the method comprising:mounting a supplemental storage tray into a non-essential area within acavity above a processor within an information handling system chassis,such that the supplemental storage tray is suspended above the processorand other functional components affixed to a backplane, the supplementalstorage tray having perimeter plates defining a bay; securing at leastone supplemental storage device in the bay, and communicatively couplingthe at least one supplemental storage device with the processor toprovide additional storage capacity within the electronic enclosurebeyond a storage capacity of the at least one first storage device;forming the supplemental storage tray with a bottom plate, a first sideplate, a second side plate, a front plate and a rear plate; defining atleast one retention feature in the bottom plate; affixing a carrier tothe supplemental storage device; and engaging the carrier with theretention feature such that the carrier is retained to the bottom plate.14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: forming at least onerail that extends from each of the side plates; positioning the railsrelative to the chassis such that the supplemental storage tray issuspended from the chassis; and attaching a retention mechanism to thesupplemental storage tray, the retention mechanism configured toselectively hold and release the supplemental storage device.
 15. Themethod of claim 13, further comprising: affixing a bracket to thesupplemental storage tray; connecting a handle to the bracket; andmounting a lock to the handle, the lock retaining the handle in a closedposition.